How to Build a Fall Capsule Wardrobe! My 22 Closet Essentials
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a packed closet but still struggle to put together an outfit, a capsule wardrobe might be the refresh you need. A true capsule is all about narrowing things down to 20 - 50 versatile, high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched effortlessly. In this post, I’m sharing my closet staples—the pieces I reach for over and over again, season after season. Think classic silhouettes, neutral tones, and just a few trend-forward touches to keep things feeling current. This isn’t about strict rules—it’s about creating a wardrobe that works with your lifestyle, not against it. Brands like Everlane, Abercrombie, and Aritzia are my go-to for high quality, versatile pieces. The Abercrombie Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant, the Abercrombie Cashmere Crew Cardigan, and Vuori Rhodes Trench Coat, are just some of my closet staples. Whether you’re building from scratch or just looking to simplify, I hope this helps spark some inspiration!
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MY MEASUREMENTS
Height: 5'2"
Inseam: 26.5"
Waist: 24"
Hips: 33"
Bust: 31”
Bottoms
Medium to dark wash denim
Abercrombie Jean: Size 23 Extra Short in Medium Marble, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
Every wardrobe needs a classic pair of blue denim. My favorite are the Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean. This fit is so amazing and flattering, I have this style in multiple colors now. I like the relaxed style fit because they are timeless and don’t go out of style. The Abercrombie jeans come in the short version, which is perfect for me, they hit right at the top of my shoe.
Tailored pant
Abercrombie Tailored Pant: Size 24 Short in Black, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
I love how versatile a tailored pant is. They can be great workwear pants, and also be dressed down with a sneaker for a casual wear. The Abercrombie Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant are super comfortable. I have worn them for years, and they still look amazing. I love getting them in a wide leg, for a cozier wear. I would start by getting a black tailored pant, you’ll soon see, they go with everything!
corduroy pant
Everlane Pant: Size 00 in Cocoa, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
Since it is fall, I think corduroy is a must for the capsule wardrobe. There are now rules to building out your wardrobe, I find I reach for corduroy a lot, it has become my staple. I love the Everlane The Utility Barrel in Corduroy. I feel amazing in them and I love chocolate brown. The key to a capsule piece is whatever pant you reach for, you know they will fit amazing and always look good. These pants are also in a barrel style which is very modern and 2025, they don’t feel dated.
leather pant
Abercrombie Pant: 24 Extra Short in Black, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
I included a more unique pant because I think a leather pant is perfect for fall and winter. They automatically make an outfit dressed up, and it’s easy to mix and match with them. These Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed Vegan Suede Pant fit me perfectly, and are super comfortable. I like the more relaxed fit, which is more my style than a skinny jean.
skort
Abercrombie Skort: Size XS in Brown Pinstripe, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
Mixing up the pant option with a skort. I find I get a lot of wear out of skorts even in the fall, I love wearing them with knee high boots. You can easily wear them with a tee, or dressed up with a sweater. The Abercrombie Scarlett Mini Skort is my favorite because of the fit and length. I also can’t resist a chocolate brown, it goes with my wardrobe palette.
harringbone pattern pant
Sezane Trousers: Size 2 in Cream Khaki Brown Yellow Houndstooth, Aritzia Top: Size XS in Heather Nomad Taupe
You definitely need 1 fun pant in your staple wardrobe. Some fun pattern or color, they can spice up outfits, while still fitting within your style palette. For me, it’s the Sezane Martin Crop Trousers. This houndstooth pattern is something out of the box for my closet, and I LOVE the fit of these trousers. The crop length and wide leg style looks amazing with boots or sneakers.
Tops
white tee
Everlane Tee: Size XS in White, Abercrombie Pants: Size 24 Short in Black
The basics of all basics: a white tee. It’s a must in a capsule wardrobe. I love this boxy style, but I also love a more fitted white tee to go underneath sweaters. The Everlane The Box-Cut Tee in Essential Cotton is perfection. Its a light to medium weight shirt with a crop, a perfect layering and super flattering on. The key to a white tee is finding one that fits you amazing, because once you find it, it will elevate everything in your wardrobe.
sweater tank
Abercrombie Sweater Tank: Size XS in Light Brown, Quince Cardigan: Size Size Small in Brown, Abercrombie Jeans: Size 23 Extra Short in Medium Marble
I’m including a sweater tank in my fall capsule wardrobe because Nashville stays hot for a while. It allows me to still wear a sweater, but not sweat. It s a great lightweight option, and is super easy to layer. I love the Abercrombie Cashmere Sweater Shell Top because of the length and color. Another great staple is the oversized cardigan. This is my most worn throw on piece - to wear over nice outfits, athletic wear, or something cozy to wear around the house. This Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater is super cozy, and I love it in the chocolate brown.
thin cardigan
Vuori Tee: Size XS in White, Abercrombie Cardigan: Size Small in Light Grey, Everlane Pant: 00 in Cocoa
I always love to have a thinner cardigan in my closet for layering. When it’s not that hot out, or I want something light to throw over dresses or shirts, the thin cardigan is perfect. It’s easy to throw into a tote bag for cold nights or offices, I love the versatility of it. I love the Abercrombie Cashmere Crew Cardigan. Grey is a nice break and contrast to go with all of my brown pieces.
classic cream pullover
Everlane Sweater: Size Small in Canvas, Sezane Trousers: Size 2 in Cream Khaki Brown Yellow Houndstooth
Another timeless piece is the classic cream sweater. The key for this sweater is to love the weight, the shape, and fit of the sweater. I love the Everlane The Boxy Sweater in Everyday Cotton because it is a medium weight, which can layer under a denim jacket, but also be warm on its own. This one is also made out of cotton, so you don’t have crazy care instructions or have to be that delicate with it. It’s truly a throw on sweater that will always look amazing.
cableknit sweater
Aritiza Sweater: Size XS, Vuori Tee: Size XS in White, Abercrombie Pants: Size 24 Extra Short in Black
This is more of a optional piece, but in my opinion, a fall staple. A cable knit is so classic and elegant, this pattern will not go out of style. I love this Aritiza Dionne Sweater because it is a cardigan style, and is a more medium and heavy weight sweater. The crop hits at a great length, and this cream color goes with everyone of my pants.
classic biege sweater
Quince Sweater: Size Small, Abercrombie Skirt: Size XS in Brown Pinstripe
Another sweater in my capsule wardrobe is a beige/tuope sweater. This Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater is a classic cashmere. I like the looser style to wear more casually, I prefer my sweaters to be a looser fit. It looks great semi tucked into my bottoms and again looks great with brown.
thicker pullover sweater
Abercrombie Sweater: Size Small in Brown, Abercrombie Jeans: Size 23 Extra Short in Medium Marble
For those colder days, a heavyweight sweater is a must. I love a chocolate brown for the fall, it’s my go to sweater. I love the Abercrombie The Madeline Crew Sweater. The boxy fit, and thick cuffs make it an interesting sweater, while still fitting and looking amazing. Its good to have different weight of sweaters for all different weather types.
barn jacket
Aritzia Jacket: Size XS in Vintage Tan Kahki, Vuori Tee: Size XS in White, Abercrombie Cardigan: Size Small in Light Grey, Everlane Pants: Size 00 in Cocoa
A barn jacket for fall is perfect. Its such a classic piece, and you’ll get lots of wear out it. I love the Aritzia Edison Chore Jacket. It’s a great oversized jacket that will layer really well. This casual jacket pairs with everything and looks amazing!
trench coat
Vuori Tee: Size XS in White, Vuori Trench Coat: Size XS in Khaki, Abercrombie Pants: Size 24 Short in Black
Finally, a thicker, bigger trench coat is a must in my fall wardrobe. This Vuori Rhodes Trench Coat is the perfect color. It goes with everything in my capsule wardrobe, and I love the panel in the back of the jacket. A trench coat never goes out of style, whether you get a cropped or full length version, you will not regret it!
shoes
My go to shoes are boots and sneakers. I think you definitely need a black or brown boot in your wardrobe - I went with both. I love the Madewell The Dimes Kitten-Heel Boot because the heels gives you a little bit of a lift while still being super comfortable. A pointed toe boot makes my legs look longer and complements any pants I wear. As for sneakers, a white sneaker like the Everlane The Court Sneaker is a classic, but I also love the Adidas Handball Spezial Earth Strada Gum Sneakers for a more unique piece. Some optional piece are loafers and high boots. For my style, a loafer goes with a lot of pants, I love the Target James Rouched Loafers.
bags
You only need a black and brown bag option. Bonus points if the bag has a nice texture like the Madewell The Belted Satchel Bag in suede. I love the shape of this bag and the multiple ways to carry it. I prefer bigger bigs like totes because I have a toddler and camera gear. For my black bag option, I have Everlane The Luxe Medium Italian Leather Tote. I love the sleek and timeless design of the leather.
Accessories
My only must have accessories is a good belt. I love the Aritzia Legendary Solid Brass Leather Belt
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Finding activewear that actually fits when you're petite is tricky, but luckily Lululemon seems to always have what I need! This haul has the perfect summer pieces for exercising or just running errands - petite approved (I’m 5’2). Plus this butter yellow color might be one of the best colors to wear in the summer!